Sardis

Rev. 3:6

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

This letter contains the words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars [perfection, completeness, Christ Jesus, the perfect sacrifice]. The picture of this church is not good. They have the reputation of being alive, but in truth they are dead. So sad! It is almost like their faith is a leftover from the generation before and is a faith that was not truly their own. The words seem to shout, Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die! It reminds me of the parable of the sower. The seed was there and may have even taken root for a brief time. But the birds of the air, the cares of life, came and plucked it away.  Consequently, nothing that they have done is complete in the sight of God. Their only  hope is to remember what they had been taught and repent. If not, they will be unprepared for the return of Christ who will come as a thief in the night. 

However, some of the congregation are clothed in the purity of Christ [purest white]. These people will walk with Jesus! The ones who conquer, those who remember and repent, will be conquerors and their names will be secure in the book of life and Jesus will confess their names before the Father and His angels. Again the warning, if you have a listening ear, listen and hear. But in this letter the warning sounds rather hopeless. 

Father,

I pray for the hearts of many of the people who go to church every Sunday and yet do not know Jesus as their Savior. Convict the hearts of the pastors and the congregation. Let your Spirit stir the pot and awaken some to what they have been taught.

In Jesus name,

Amen